The Los Angeles Clippers could trade Chris Paul to make room for a potential Russell Westbrook homecoming with the team.
There are rumors about Westbrook heading to his hometown Los Angeles, with the OKC Thunder possibly trading the star point guard “sooner rather than later,” according to Howard Beck of Bleacher Report, which is likely to happen before the regular season starts.
While the Lakers seem the more logical destination for Westbrook, considering the enticing pieces they could package in exchange for the 28-year-old, the Clippers may also become a destination for Westbrook by trading one of their own star players.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Moore, the Clippers could make room for Westbrook by shipping Chris Paul to a contender and sending assets to Thunder.
“Send CP3 to another contender, send assets to Oklahoma City with Westbrook heading to the Clippers,” Moore wrote.
“That way Westbrook gets to live in L.A. without dealing with the Lakers’ stench and rebuilding project. He joins an instant contender, one with other stars in his age group. He fits perfectly with Griffin and Jordan, more so than Paul, even if shooting becomes a problem outside of J.J. Redick.”
The Clippers’ partnership with Paul has brought drastic change to the team, turning them from the league’s laughingstock to contenders in the West. However, already five season with the Clippers, Paul has yet to bring a championship to the franchise.
There are no indications the Clippers would trade Paul, especially with the team being insistent on keeping their core roster intact. But it could change if a talented point guard like Westbrook is available in the trade market.
In Moore’s trade scenario, the Clippers send Paul to a contending team. It could work making a straight swap of Paul for Westbrook, but the Thunder would likely ask for future picks as part of their rebuild.
Moreover, if a trade goes down, the Thunder could be looking to add a scorer, who can somehow fill the void left by Durant and the potential exit of Westbrook from OKC. This brings up the Clippers possibly ending up on a three-way blockbuster deal if they wish land Westbrook.
One intriguing landing spot for Paul could be the moment he is finally waiting: playing alongside his good friend LeBron James.
James has yet to sign for a team this summer, but he is widely expected to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Clippers could trade Paul to the Cavs to make room for Westbrook, while Cleveland could send Kevin Love to the Thunder in a three-way blockbuster deal, which works on ESPN’s trade machine.
Westbrook could change the dynamic of the Clippers, who have been relying in Paul’s playmaking skills to maximize the talents of the team’s players. While Westbrook is not known for being a pass-first point guard, he has shown he can co-exist with other stars and distribute the ball well as he averaged 10.4 assists a game last season.
Paul, on the other hand, could have his best chance of winning a championship by teaming-up with James. Paul could come off the bench, playing backup to Kyrie Irving or both could start forming a “fire and ice” backcourt tandem.
As for the Thunder, getting Love would secure them a bona fide inside and outside scorer. His numbers with the Cavs last season were not as good during his days in Minnesota, but Love is certainly capable of lighting up the scoreboard, especially given the lead role.
It remains to be seen whether the Clippers real intentions of shipping Paul or trading for Westbrook. But with the NBA landscape already altered by Durant’s move to the Bay Area, such deal is a possibility worth exploring for the Clips.
